SPEEDING motorists captured by new infra-red digital speed cameras will escape fines – but only for the time being.
The cameras are being tested by SA Police to determine if they will replace existing cameras which use radar and photographic film. The cameras are positioned on the front of cars rather than inside or on tripods. Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said motorists caught speeding by the cameras could not be penalised as they were only being trialled. "SAPOL is currently conducting an evaluation for the replacement of speed cameras," he said. "As part of the evaluation, field trials are being conducted to test varying detection type cameras against the tender specifications. The field trials will continue until late September when final evaluation will be undertaken and a replacement camera model for the current speed cameras will be announced." The decision by SA Police to change speed cameras comes after the Australian Crime Commission's call for police to use cameras similar to those which help track suspected terrorists in the United Kingdom. The ACC wants automatic number plate recognition technology to be used by all Australian law enforcement agencies. The cameras can scan one number plate each second on cars doing up to 160km/h in traffic. The ACC would use the technology to track the whereabouts of known criminals and the movement of stolen vehicles. source:
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